Tyre choice for adventure riding? (Mixing road and off-road)

[warewolf]

Why go 130 over 140?

As Nordie said. Plus the bigger tyre will raise the rear a little and steepen the fork rake, which puts more weight on the front wheel and sharpens the steering.

The 640 Adventure has a 140/80, whereas the 640 Enduro has a 130/80 on virtually the same bike. Many Adv riders fit the smaller 130 because it makes the bike turn better.

[Paladin]

As Nordie said. Plus the bigger tyre will raise the rear a little and steepen the fork rake, which puts more weight on the front wheel and sharpens the steering.

The 640 Adventure has a 140/80, whereas the 640 Enduro has a 130/80 on virtually the same bike. Many Adv riders fit the smaller 130 because it makes the bike turn better.

I take it when the size is that close there's no rim size issue then?

[warewolf]

I take it when the size is that close there's no rim size issue then?

Not on those two bikes, the rear rim is the same. Somewhat contrarily, they use the same size front tyre but the Adventure has a massive 2.15" front rim - although that means the front tyre has a flatter profile which would match the 140 rear.

[Paladin]

Not on those two bikes, the rear rim is the same. Somewhat contrarily, they use the same size front tyre but the Adventure has a massive 2.15" front rim - although that means the front tyre has a flatter profile which would match the 140 rear.

Super info as always, cheers Colin!

[.chris]

Please excuse the noob question, what about mixing tires?

Thinking of the rear wearing out quicker than the front, would it be ok to have a different tire on the rear? Or would this likely cause problems?

Cheers
c

[Paladin]

Please excuse the noob question, what about mixing tires?

Thinking of the rear wearing out quicker than the front, would it be ok to have a different tire on the rear? Or would this likely cause problems?

Cheers
c

You'll be alright there mate - lots of the guys are running combos - eg MT21 front, D606 rear etc etc depending on what the bike/rider/terrain needs to suit.

[warewolf]

Please excuse the noob question, what about mixing tires?

You're excused!

Knobbly front with closer pattern rear for longevity gives the bike better front grip in the dirt, and less front grip on the tar. This latter means the bike will be low-side prone on the tar, which is arguably better than making the bike high-side prone (happens with sports/sportstourers running stickier front and harder long-life rear).

Personally I prefer the bike to be balanced front/rear, as this means the bike slides sideways rather than one end stepping out. Full knobbys on the tar, or road tyres on the dirt, or any combination in between, the bike handles the same either way; only the traction point changes.

[junkmanjoe]

after the pont of running out of traction, learning to far over.
then its to late.....front slips out, and the back follows soon after.....

[Paladin]

Reading your informative posts is like having a peek inside some kind of motorcycle encyclopedia Colin!

You're excused!

Knobbly front with closer pattern rear for longevity gives the bike better front grip in the dirt, and less front grip on the tar. This latter means the bike will be low-side prone on the tar, which is arguably better than making the bike high-side prone (happens with sports/sportstourers running stickier front and harder long-life rear).

Personally I prefer the bike to be balanced front/rear, as this means the bike slides sideways rather than one end stepping out. Full knobbys on the tar, or road tyres on the dirt, or any combination in between, the bike handles the same either way; only the traction point changes.

[Padmei]

Reading your informative posts is like having a peek inside some kind of motorcycle encyclopedia Colin!

He is a very interesting person to talk to re bikes. Had a good natter during the laidback & came away with a head ful of ideas & deeper respect for our lil fanged friend.

WW get back into the garage & polish that bike - if your head can get thru the door now

[Paladin]

He is a very interesting person to talk to re bikes. Had a good natter during the laidback & came away with a head ful of ideas & deeper respect for our lil fanged friend.

WW get back into the garage & polish that bike - if your head can get thru the door now

I'm sure he could teach me a hell of alot as could quite a few other people on this forum! Actually one of the nice things about this particular forum(apart from the good humour!) is that people are actually very helpful WITHOUT being big headed egotistical arseholes about it!

[clint640]

Please excuse the noob question, what about mixing tires?

Thinking of the rear wearing out quicker than the front, would it be ok to have a different tire on the rear? Or would this likely cause problems?

Cheers
c

As Colin notes above, you don't want to go radically different front/back, but I've been running different tyres front & back, for general adv use, for ages. A lot of the dual purpose tyres seem to have a much less aggressive front tyre than the rear, & anything too knobby on the back just disappears too quickly.

My current combo of EO-7 rear & TKC 80 front both have a similar knob/void ratio & they seem to have a good balance of traction front & rear. The EO-7 front looks too roady, & the TKC rear wouldn't last long, so it works for me.

Cheers
Clint

[Oscar]

As Colin notes above, you don't want to go radically different front/back, but I've been running different tyres front & back, for general adv use, for ages. A lot of the dual purpose tyres seem to have a much less aggressive front tyre than the rear, & anything too knobby on the back just disappears too quickly.

My current combo of EO-7 rear & TKC 80 front both have a similar knob/void ratio & they seem to have a good balance of traction front & rear. The EO-7 front looks too roady, & the TKC rear wouldn't last long, so it works for me.

Cheers
Clint

I run a TKC80 front and an OEM Scorpion MT90 rear on my 950.
The KR 990 Project bike has Scorpions both ends, and I am well impressed with performance on gravel.

[Underground]

My current combo of EO-7 rear & TKC 80 front both have a similar knob/void ratio & they seem to have a good balance of traction front & rear. The EO-7 front looks too roady, & the TKC rear wouldn't last long, so it works for me.

Cheers
Clint

Snap, that combo got me through the Kikiwau laidback without having to push or pick the bike up, plus I pushed it pretty hard on the seal and gravel back to home without having any 'moments' Combo of choice at the mo .

[cynna]

ended up getting the mitas c02. looks like it has some decent knobs to get me thru winter - havent had the time to try it out yet

thanks for all the info